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Eight Important Prerequisites for Starting a Healthcare Travel Job

by Howard Gerber on September 10, 2015

Working as a healthcare traveler can be a great opportunity to expand your skills and see different parts of the United States. Although it’s not for everyone, there are several benefits to working as a traveler. But before you can jet off to an exciting and challenging assignment, there are several prerequisites you should have.

A Clinical License: Whether you are a nurse, physical therapist, or occupational therapist, you need a clinical license to work as a healthcare traveler. If you are traveling out of state on an assignment, you’ll also need to obtain a license in the state you will be working in.

Sense of Adventure: Working as a traveler is exciting, but it brings a lot of changes. You will not only be changing your living environment and starting a new job, but you’re leaving friends and family behind. Having a sense of adventure will help make the transition smoother.

A Staffing Agency: One of the first prerequisites for working as healthcare traveler is finding a staffing agency to work with. A good recruiter is a must for getting the right travel job. Your recruiter will help walk you through the process and can be a wealth of information on housing and license requirements.

An Open Mind: You may have a certain idea of what type of travel assignment you want. But part of the fun of working as a traveler is experiencing new things. If you have an open mind, you may consider assignments that, at first, you were not too sure about.

Experience: Not every staffing agency requires the same amount of clinical experience. In fact, some may even hire new grads. But it helps to have at least a year of clinical experience, especially if you’re a nurse. Having experience will give you the confidence you need to step into a new job.

Organization: Taking a healthcare travel job involves a lot of preparation. There is paperwork to get together, such as your certifications, license, and immunization record. You will also need to pack up your home and get things ready to move. That may mean making arrangements for pets and transportation to your new assignment. It can be a lot to do. It helps to be someone who is well organized and is able to keep track of everything that needs to be done.

Perseverance: Not every traveler gets their dream assignment the first time around. Depending on where you want to travel, it can be competitive to get an assignment. For example, San Diego and Miami are popular destinations for healthcare travelers, and you may not get a job right away. But if you stick with traveling, you may eventually get the assignment of your dreams.

References: Most jobs want to check a few of your references in order to determine if you are a good candidate for the position. Before you start applying for travel jobs, get a list together of people who would make good references. Make sure you let them know, you’ll be providing their contact information to potential employers.

Think you’re ready to take on your very first healthcare travel assignment? Click here to let Sunbelt Staffing help you choose the right one!